[Communication & Media Studies](/majors/communication-journalism-media/communication-media-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong communication & media studies education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value communication & media studies schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in communication & media studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in communication & media studies, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Parkside this year. Located in the rural area of Kenosha, University Of Wisconsin Parkside is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,270, compared with $17,429 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Parkside generally make around $37,107. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Parkside admits about 75% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Whitewater one of the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $39,367. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, compared with $17,470 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,212 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $38,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a great value for students pursuing a degree in communication & media studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,700, compared with $17,288 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $37,807. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in communication & media studies will find it at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $26,534 in student loans. Early-career communication & media studies graduates make about $40,673. That is a strong return on a $26,534 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Superior placed #6 among the best values for communication & media studies. University Of Wisconsin Superior is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Superior. Students from in state pay about $8,812 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,726. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Superior generally make around $41,371. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #7 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,398, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $38,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #8 among the best values for communication & media studies. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $18,248. Students borrow a median of $25,990 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $35,724. Set against $25,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Carroll University earned the #9 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waukesha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,890. Students borrow a median of $26,904 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Carroll University earn a median of $52,404 early in their careers. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Carroll University admits about 67% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned the #10 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $24,455 in student loans. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $40,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,455 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for value in communication & media studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $37,286. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #12 for value in communication & media studies this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,730 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,333 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,730 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Beloit College earned the #13 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Beloit. In-state tuition and fees average $60,886. Students borrow a median of $25,998 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Beloit College earn a median of $33,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Edgewood College landed the #14 spot for communication & media studies value this year. Edgewood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $35,860. Communication & Media Studies graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Edgewood College generally make around $42,950. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Edgewood College admits about 76% of applicants.
Saint Norbert College came in at #15 for value in communication & media studies this year. Set in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,580. Students borrow a median of $26,262 to complete the communication & media studies program here. Communication & Media Studies graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $38,287 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,262 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Carthage College earned the #16 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Carthage College generally make around $33,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Marquette University earned the #17 position for value in communication & media studies this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Typical student debt for communication & media studies graduates is $23,531. Soon after graduation, communication & media studies degree recipients from Marquette University generally make around $36,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marquette University admits about 81% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
